SERVE ACCORDING TO GOD’S GRACE TO YOU

So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word… So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too. —Acts 6:2-4

Can you imagine a heavy equipment operator performing brain surgery? Or, how would you like to sit in the dentist chair and have a brute work on your teeth when his real occupation has him operating a jack hammer? Things run a whole lot more smoothly when people stick to their strengths.

So it is in the context of the verses above. The apostles could have run a food program and that was a wonderful ministry, but they were not called to that. Their giftedness and calling was to spend their time in prayer and in teaching the Word of God.

Others were chosen to lead up the food program so the apostles could focus on the ministry the Lord had chosen for them. The result? Those who needed food got it, the apostles were able to focus on prayer and teaching the Word of God and because of the proper distribution of ministry strengths the message continued to spread and a great number of people were saved.

This is how it should be in the body of Christ. Each member has gifts, abilities and resources the Lord has delegated to them to be stewards of. It is only when each member is being faithful in their stewardship that the ministry of the local church thrives according to God’s purposes for that local church.

So, are you and I being faithful stewards of God’s grace to us? How do you and I serve with the gifts, abilities and resources God has delegated to us? May we be faithful today and for the rest of our lives with His desires for us. May it be do!

Dear Father, thank You for the gifts, abilities and resources You have delegated to me. I understand that I am a steward by Your grace through Jesus and by the Holy Spirit’s power. May I be faithful to Your desires in my life.